Choosing between a laptop and tablet is a tough choice, unless you are absolutely clear about your needs and requirements. For many, a laptop is a much better choice, mainly because typing or browsing on a laptop is much easier, thanks to the physical keyboard. But then, you should be going for a desktop PC if you are looking for easy typing, larger screen, and the likes.

Just like you have to compromise a little on the convenience, because you cannot carry a desktop PC to a park, from office to home, and vice versa, similarly, you will have to go for a tablet because there are many places where sitting down with the laptop in front of you, and typing at the physical keyboard is not a feasible option. Besides, a tablet is much smaller, and lighter to carry around, which makes it a better choice for those who are looking to browse the Internet, take pictures, listen to their favorite songs and a lot more, on the go. Just like a desktop PC cannot be a substitute for a laptop, similarly a laptop cannot be used in place of a tablet. All of these computing devices have their own advantages and disadvantages.

While looking for a tablet PC, you will need to keep the following points in mind.

The Processor:

Doesn’t matter if you are looking for a computer or a laptop, tablet or a smartphone, the processor will be the single most important factor when it comes to the overall performance and processing speed of the device. Back in the olden days, it was easier to choose the right one (all you need to do was to go for the latest Pentium). But now, the choice isn’t that simple. You will still find the fastest and the most beastly processors in the market, but you don’t necessarily need to go for the most powerful ones. Know your needs, and if web browsing, social networking, or word processing is all you are looking for, you don’t need to go anywhere near the top, because an average processor will do just about that and a lot more.

The Screen Size:

Just like smartphones, a small increase or decrease in the screen size can make a hell of difference in the user experience (as well as the price). Usually the bigger the screen the better, still you need to keep the portability and convenience factors in mind. What good is a tablet if you cannot hold it in one hand with ease? The average screen size will range from 7 to 10 inches, and you can choose something in between.

Storage:

You’ll most likely be looking to carry your favorite songs in your tablet, along with hundreds if not thousands of friends and family pictures, especially if your tablet has a high definition camera (I’ve seen people using their tablets and iPads as a digital camera during family functions). Similarly, you will be looking to carry HD movies, games, and all sorts of data that takes a lot of space. So, the next thing you should be looking for is the storage (AKA memory). Talking of the storage, you can go for a tablet with smaller storage size, as long as it has a memory card slot.

The Wallet:

While going through the price comparison or review websites (or visiting a local store), you might feel overwhelmed with all those options available in the market. But keeping your needs and budget in mind will help you avoid the “up-sell”. For example, if you aren’t planning to use the camera extensively, there’s no point drooling at a tablet with ridiculously high definition camera. You can always search at the Internet for special bargains or lists like best tablets under $200.

The Operating System:

In addition to the hardware, you will also have to choose from different operating systems in the market. Again, the opinions will differ, I personally like Android for many reasons, but there are people who’ll vouch for iOS. And it’s a matter of your personal like and dislike. To make your mind, you can simply search for the pros and cons for all those operating systems and see which one is the best?

The Weight:

A tablet needs to be a lot more convenient and manageable as compared to a laptop. And when it comes to portability and convenience, the two most important factors are the thickness and the weight. Thickness is usually considered something that makes an impact on the looks or feel of a device, but in case of a tablet, it will also affect the level of handiness.

Joel Klein is a tech blogger, and he writes about best buying tips and online deals at Beaglo blog, a site where you can search for all sorts of online deals and special offers.